About Cochlear Implants

A cochlear implant is a high-tech device that helps improve hearing for people who have moderate to severe hearing loss in one or both ears and for whom hearing aids are no longer effective.

Cochlear implants work better in children at a young age, it is also suitable for adults who knew how to speak and lost their hearing later due to aging, accidents or medical conditions.

What are the benefits of this treatment?

Communicating better with people without the need of lip reading or sign language
Enjoying everyday sounds and being able to identify sounds associated with potential danger (e.g. traffic)
Listening to television programs or movies, without subtitles
Talking on the phone
Increased confidence in social situations and avoid isolation

What you need to know about the procedure

1

Surgeons perform cochlear implant surgery while you are under general anesthesia.

2

After surgery, you may feel pressure or discomfort near the ear, as well as dizziness or nausea, but most people can go home the same day.

3

There will then be a follow-up appointment with the doctor a few weeks later, to ensure everything is healing properly.

Turning on the device

About one to four weeks after surgery, you will meet with an audiologist who will activate the device. During this appointment, the audiologist will:

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Carefully check each aspect of the device to ensure it is functioning correctly

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Help you explore and understand the sounds you can hear

Provide guidance on how to use and care for the device

Adjust settings to optimize your hearing experience

Recovery and future outlook

It is important to note that it may take some time before you notice significant changes in your hearing. After getting a cochlear implant, it’s important to do rehab to help your brain understand sounds from the device.

Initially, speech and everyday noises may not sound as you remember them. Your brain requires time to adjust to these new sounds and comprehend speech effectively.

Going to follow-up appointments with the doctor, audiologist and speech therapist is important. Doing this regularly can help improve hearing faster through consistent practice and therapy.

Blog

blog
Living with Cochlear Implants: Life Post-Surgery

Dr. Ahmad Al Shamsi

Dr. Ahmad Al Shamsi, M.B., B.C.h., B.A.O. (NUI), L.R.C.P., SI, is the chair of the otolaryngology – head and neck surgery (ENT) division at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi.

With over 17 years of experience as an otologist and cochlear implant surgeon, Dr. Al Shamsi specializes in adult and pediatric otology, neuro-otology diagnosis, prevention and medical management.

Renowned for his expertise in cochlear implantation, Dr. Al Shamsi offers innovative solutions to individuals with severe hearing loss. His proficiency in this area extends to surgical implantation procedures and post-operative rehabilitation.

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